Authorities restrict access to Preah Vihear temple zone

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, July 16 (TNA) - Thai military sources said about 250 Thai troops have been deployed near the Cambodian border following the arrest by Cambodia of three Thai citizens who crossed into the disputed border area early Tuesday.

The trio were returned to Thailand later on Tuesday, but Thais are being warned not to travel to the vicinity of Preah Vihear.

Meanwhile, military sources said, Cambodian troops have been reinforced nearby the area of overlapping claims.

The troop movements by both countries heightened tension at the border, and the Thai authorities have restricted vehicles and media from a 10km radius of the ancient temple.

Lt-Gen. Suchit Sitthiprapha, Thailand's Second Army Region commander said Wednesday that the protestors were being interviewed by the Suranaree Task Force and are "not being detained".

The trio, including a Buddhist monk, were detained briefly by Cambodian authorities on Tuesday after they had sneaked into the disputed area adjacent to the 11th century temple.

It was the first cross-border protest since Cambodia blocked access to
Preah Vihear temple to visitors from Thailand last month, after some Thai protestors attempted to march on the temple ruins.

Gen. Suchit said the area adjacent to the temple was still disputed
between the two countries, which means there are differing ideas as to
where the border is.

The Preah Vihear site was awarded a World Heritage Site status by the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on July 7.